Accessibility Information

This site has been designed to specific accessibility standards which include:

• minimal use of graphics
• fast upload times.
• accessible to blind and partially sighted people
• accessible to disabled people who possibly cannot us a mouse
• no frames
• consistent navigation

If you are a partially sighted or disabled person and have difficulties with any areas of this web site please contact us by completing the Feedback Form or telephone us on 01983 823529

For more information on web accessibility issues see:

Bobby
W3C

Accessibility Information

The Web can present barriers to people with different kinds of disabilities:

• unlabeled graphics, undescribed video
• poorly marked-up tables or frames
• lack of keyboard support or screen reader compatibility

• lack of captioning for audio
• proliferation of text without visual signposts

• lack of keyboard or single-switch support for menu commands

• lack of consistent navigation structure
• overly complex presentation or language
• lack of illustrative non-text materials
• flickering or strobing designs on pages

By carefully designing web sites we can meet the needs of all members of society

• use accreditation standards like 'Bobby'
• refer to WIC initiatives
• avoid the heavy use of graphics and animation
• Develop 'Access Keys' to be used by those who find it difficult to use a mouse.

There are several reasons why Web accessibility is important:

• use of the Web is spreading rapidly into all areas of society
• there are barriers on the Web for many types of disabilities
• millions of people have disabilities that affect access to the Web
• web accessibility has carry-over benefits for other users

The Web is the fastest-adopted technology in history.

But for people with disabilities, it's sometimes a "mixed blessing":

It is displacing traditional sources of information & interaction

• schools, libraries, print materials, discourse of the workplace.
• some of the traditional resources were accessible; some not.

The Web is becoming a key, but sometimes inaccessible, resource for:

• news, information, commerce, entertainment
• classroom education, distance learning
• job searching, and workplace interaction
• civic participation -- laws, voting, government information, services

An accessible Web will mean unprecedented access to information for people with disabilities.